Fenerbahce Step Closer To Semis

Angel McCoughtry was one of six players to make Fener players to break into double digits

Turning Point: After Schio rallied and worked their way back into contention by making it a one-shot game at 31-28, they subsequently allowed Fenerbahce to score the next 19 points in a row either side of the half-time break.

Game Heroes: It was more of a team focused display from Fener, although Cappie Pondexter had 14 points, six rebounds and five assists, whilst the dynamic play of Birsel Vardarli was also particularly easy on the eye.

Stats Don't Lie: Six players in double-digits emphasised the depth and offensive options of Fenerbahce.

Fenerbahce have all but booked their spot in the semi-finals of the EuroLeague Women Final Eight after showcasing their depth and title potential en-route to an 86-59 demolition of Famila Schio.

The Turkish giants were dominant throughout the contest, as Schio slipped to a second loss in Ekaterniburg, unable to cope with the running game and superior firepower of their opponents.

Indeed their regular season home success against Fener must have seemed but a distant memory, as they were ruthlessly put to the sword.

Whilst there was nothing to separate the teams initially at 10-10 after the first six minutes, once Fener got into their stride, they blew Schio away in impressive fashion and especially via a powerful spell both before and after the interval.

A rare three-pointer by Anastasiya Verameyenka made it 50-28 to Fenerbahce and they refused to engage cruise control. Instead, they maintained their intensity, even doubling the Schio score at 64-32 during in what proved to be a scorching 30-12 third quarter.

Head coach Maurizio Lasi was left disappointed with his teams' display and especially after they worked hard to overcome a slow start before allowing their hard work to go to waste.

He said, "We know that we were supposed to play a great game and we came back when things were difficult in the second quarter, but you can only recover against Fenerbahce once - not for a second time.

"Everything was just far too easy for them."

Roberto Iniguez is edging closer to the prospect of securing back-to-back EuroLeague Women titles and he was impressed with his team, although noted that there was always room for improvement.

"I think we played a good game and I'm especially happy that we played with 12 players and all my players had minutes on the court," adding, "We played good defence and winning this competition will mean playing the best defence."

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